Modding a Rubicon to ride like a Mojave

[chr15m]

Ok….I stand corrected….. You’re simply adding the spacer ontop of a free standing coil - similar to adding spacers for a body lift.

Basically yeah.

Myself being a Toyota convert, took a bit to really be comfortable adding spacers. But with solid axles it seems the norm of affordable options. It's not to say the ride quality doesn't decrease in a situation where a spacer is used, it's just more so that the weight causing droop in my case is the cause. So it's not uncommon to associate the spacers with the change in quality. Spacers will lift the truck , are easy to install, won't make the ride worse, but also won't fix how weight can degrade ride quality due to under charged or valved shocks.

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[Janster]

Basically yeah.

Myself being a Toyota convert, took a bit to really be comfortable adding spacers. But with solid axles it seems the norm of affordable options. It's not to say the ride quality doesn't decrease in a situation where a spacer is used, it's just more so that the weight causing droop in my case is the cause. So it's not uncommon to associate the spacers with the change in quality. Spacers will lift the truck , are easy to install, won't make the ride worse, but also won't fix how weight can degrade ride quality due to under charged or valved shocks.

Yea…in my younger years, the Tacoma guys were all going with the “Cornbread Spacers” and Add-a-leafs. I never did spacers myself….took the leaf springs to the local shop to have them re-arched. OH the good old days….

This Coil suspension is mind boggling, but I’m trying to learn! Thanks for the clarification!

 

[PuddleJumper]

I'd agree with jav_eee.......... You need to drive a Mojave to see what you're trying to accomplish.
However...sounds like you're trying to make the ride softer?

I'm not familiar with Sumo springs, but curious why you added them?
A spacer is going to make the ride worse/rougher. Ditch the spacer....

Nobody can say whether adding the Mojave springs will make the ride smoother or give you any ride height increases.... each situation is different. Not only that..... you have an 'expectation' based on something you haven't even driven yet.

You can probably find USED Mojave springs fairly easily & for cheap. That's about the only way you're going to find out... is just install them.

spacers don't necessarily change the ride on SA vehicles. If your just adding it for lift and the truck weight stays the same your preload didn't change. therefore the ride will be the same. However the line thats gets most to think of spacers as ride changing, is my trucks setup. I have 3/4 spacers all around and my truck is stiffer than other Mojaves. But the spacers didn't do that. I added spacers to get back to stock ride height after adding offroad gear weight. That weight has affected the preload and therefore the ride. The spacer being in or out makes no difference. Bags on the other is a different story. Even with no air added to them they are a bladder that resist compression because as you squeeze it the pressure internally raises as the air inside is trapped. So an empty bag can still drastically alter compression rates on the springs they are supporting. Add air to those bags and the effect compounds greatly.

 

[PuddleJumper]

@djwatts here's my best recommendation. "riding like a Mojave" only really works if you have a unloaded setup. Mojave suspension is quite squishy and therefore drastically effect by added weight from mods. For a factory truck its nice but and Glady can recreate or beat a factory ride experience with any quality shock and spring from the aftermarket. Since your rig will 99% most likely end up exceeding factory curb weight with cool shit added to it. I would skip the mopar bin of trim parts and go straight to the aftermarket for a quality Fox elite or Bilstein 6112. Preferably from accutune to get it tuned for your trucks weight and intended use. toss in some king bumpstop or comparable and you be riding better for almost the same cost or cheaper than any Mojave could dream of off the lot. Mojaves are trim level best left for those who aren't gonna do much to it. Mine suspension wise is 98% stock and it'll stay that way. Why? cus it works well and fits my 37s. And i don't need anything past that. just camping gear and a full tank. But for other trims they leave a lot of performance on the table for not a lot of dough if your willing to turn you own wrenches. Rubicon imo is still the ultimate trim. whats it really need? skids, shocks, and coil. done. Making the mojave have matching mechanical features to a rubi is way more expensive and time consuming. The only thing imo that makes a mojave stand above the rest is, its the perfect platform base for a hemi swap. You get the diesel frame and knuckles which are perfect for a hemi. But if you got an ecodiesel you'd never go hemi cus a simple tune and delete gets you the same numbers or better as a gasser V8. If you get any other gas trims a V8 swap will be a more cut and weld procedure rather than a bolt in for the Mojave. peanuts in the grand scheme to be honest but if the little things matter you can see how well trims fit thier owners. If you do go to a different suspension package, HMU and I'll buy your old mojave shocks off of you. I've been stockpiling these bitches since their days are numbered.

 

[djwatts]

You should probably drive a Mojave to see what it is you’re trying to replicate. Then go drive a 2006 or older wrangler and notice how good your current rubicon drives compared to the jeeps of yesteryear.

Are you usually hauling heavy? If not then why did you add sumo springs?

I got the lightest version of Sumo Springs. Not usually hauling heavy but understood they would help with rear-end bounce. I will eventually be towing a travel trailer. Also some moving loads from Indiana to Arizona.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I can't input much on how to make it ride like a Mojave, but I can say I was not impressed with the ride of the Mojave. I test drove one when shopping, it felt spongy and floaty, corners didn't feel planted. I didn't care for it at all.

I don't find the Rubicons ride bad at all, so I don't get the hype over a softer ride in the Mojave.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I can't input much on how to make it ride like a Mojave, but I can say I was not impressed with the ride of the Mojave. I test drove one when shopping, it felt spongy and floaty, corners didn't feel planted. I didn't care for it at all.

I don't find the Rubicons ride bad at all, so I don't get the hype over a softer ride in the Mojave.

Mojaves aren't consistent. For the 23' MY and older depending on if you had the tow package or not it would be a an indecisive cloud or a hard confident ride. Mine was the latter. I can rip 20 mph back road corners at 45 plus, but boy does translate every little bump and imperfection in the road straight to your ass. I rode other mojaves at the dealer and the non tow package ones came with lighter springs and it felt like it was trying to cadillac cushion everything to the point you couldn't tell where your roll center was.

 

[dos0711]

I can't speak about the Mojave but I felt my Rubicon was "soft" on bumps to a fault. Changed the Fox shocks out and put Bilsteins in and it feels much better. More like a truck if that makes any sense.

 

[djwatts]

I will make it really easy for you. Get OEM Mojave shocks and springs.......and Done

I did the shocks already but many opinions vary on the springs. Most say there is no difference or at least not enough to make a difference.

 

[Jaxmax]

@djwatts here's my best recommendation. "riding like a Mojave" only really works if you have a unloaded setup. Mojave suspension is quite squishy and therefore drastically effect by added weight from mods. For a factory truck its nice but and Glady can recreate or beat a factory ride experience with any quality shock and spring from the aftermarket. Since your rig will 99% most likely end up exceeding factory curb weight with cool shit added to it. I would skip the mopar bin of trim parts and go straight to the aftermarket for a quality Fox elite or Bilstein 6112. Preferably from accutune to get it tuned for your trucks weight and intended use. toss in some king bumpstop or comparable and you be riding better for almost the same cost or cheaper than any Mojave could dream of off the lot. Mojaves are trim level best left for those who aren't gonna do much to it. Mine suspension wise is 98% stock and it'll stay that way. Why? cus it works well and fits my 37s. And i don't need anything past that. just camping gear and a full tank. But for other trims they leave a lot of performance on the table for not a lot of dough if your willing to turn you own wrenches. Rubicon imo is still the ultimate trim. whats it really need? skids, shocks, and coil. done. Making the mojave have matching mechanical features to a rubi is way more expensive and time consuming. The only thing imo that makes a mojave stand above the rest is, its the perfect platform base for a hemi swap. You get the diesel frame and knuckles which are perfect for a hemi. But if you got an ecodiesel you'd never go hemi cus a simple tune and delete gets you the same numbers or better as a gasser V8. If you get any other gas trims a V8 swap will be a more cut and weld procedure rather than a bolt in for the Mojave. peanuts in the grand scheme to be honest but if the little things matter you can see how well trims fit thier owners. If you do go to a different suspension package, HMU and I'll buy your old mojave shocks off of you. I've been stockpiling these bitches since their days are numbered.

I hear this every so often that the diesel and Mojave have the same frame or if you get a Mojave you get the diesel frame with steel knuckles. The Mojave came out first with upgraded frame bracing, different shock supports , shock mounts to support the Mojave shocks and steel knuckles. Isn’t the diesel frame probably beefed up to support the heavier weight of the engine and steel knuckles , but does it have the frame bracing in rear , heavier shock towers to support the shocks and the HD mounts for the shocks with larger bolt holes. Not firsrl vadhibg or Mojave loving but I just think looking up part numbers there would have to be a difference and is the diesel frame just steel knuckles and heavier rated suspension in front and perhaps some bracing in front?….Jack

 

[MoparToYou]

@djwatts I would skip the mopar bin of trim parts and go straight to the aftermarket for a quality Fox elite or Bilstein 6112. Preferably from accutune to get it tuned for your trucks weight and intended use. toss in some king bumpstop or comparable and you be riding better for almost the same cost or cheaper than any Mojave could dream of off the lot.

Rubicon imo is still the ultimate trim. whats it really need? skids, shocks, and coil. done. Making the mojave have matching mechanical features to a rubi is way more expensive and time consuming.

This right here.

I come from a desert racing background, so suspension has been an important part of my offroad vehicles for decades.

I have a couple of questions. Why do you want it to "ride like a Mojave" when you don't know what a Mojave rides like? Why do you want it to ride like a Mojave when you can have a much better ride for the same or less money through the aftermarket?

I've owned two Mojave's, a 2020 and the 2023 we own now. I used the first one both stock and modified with a Teraflex 1 1/2" spacer lift, shock extension brackets, and 37s. The second one came with a Mopar lift and 35s. I added shock extension brackets to the second one to keep the stock shocks from constantly topping out, even on minor speed bumps on pavement.

I also have a few other offroad vehicles, a 2022 Ram TRX with stock suspension and tires, and a 2022 392XR with a 4 1/2" Metalcloak suspension and Accutuned King adjustable 2.5" shocks, with 40s. As far as ride quality both on road and off road, both Mojave's would come in a distant last place compared to the stock TRX and the 392 with aftermarket suspension. It isn't even close in fact. The Mojave will blow right through its suspension travel in nothing flat, with an annoyingly loud pad slap on the front bump stops. And even though it bottoms out too easily, it isn't as plush as the other two vehicles either.

I would also advise avoiding the OEM parts bin.

 

[gravely]

So this is aligning on my plans as well. I'm actually picking up a set of Mojave spring this weekend. My? Is if I wanted to add 3/4” spacers, are they the same size as a standard gladly coil as far as diameter?

 

[djwatts]

This right here.

I come from a desert racing background, so suspension has been an important part of my offroad vehicles for decades.

I have a couple of questions. Why do you want it to "ride like a Mojave" when you don't know what a Mojave rides like? Why do you want it to ride like a Mojave when you can have a much better ride for the same or less money through the aftermarket?

I've owned two Mojave's, a 2020 and the 2023 we own now. I used the first one both stock and modified with a Teraflex 1 1/2" spacer lift, shock extension brackets, and 37s. The second one came with a Mopar lift and 35s. I added shock extension brackets to the second one to keep the stock shocks from constantly topping out, even on minor speed bumps on pavement.

I also have a few other offroad vehicles, a 2022 Ram TRX with stock suspension and tires, and a 2022 392XR with a 4 1/2" Metalcloak suspension and Accutuned King adjustable 2.5" shocks, with 40s. As far as ride quality both on road and off road, both Mojave's would come in a distant last place compared to the stock TRX and the 392 with aftermarket suspension. It isn't even close in fact. The Mojave will blow right through its suspension travel in nothing flat, with an annoyingly loud pad slap on the front bump stops. And even though it bottoms out too easily, it isn't as plush as the other two vehicles either.

I would also advise avoiding the OEM parts bin.

I guess all of the hype from Mojave owners and ones that have driven them about how much better handling/ride they have. I only spent $1300 on the shocks. Is there anything better aftermarket in that price range?

 

[djwatts]

So this is aligning on my plans as well. I'm actually picking up a set of Mojave spring this weekend. My? Is if I wanted to add 3/4” spacers, are they the same size as a standard gladly coil as far as diameter?

I think they are identical. Several have said they changed them out with no issues. Only difference might be spring rate from what I understand.

This right here.

I come from a desert racing background, so suspension has been an important part of my offroad vehicles for decades.

I have a couple of questions. Why do you want it to "ride like a Mojave" when you don't know what a Mojave rides like? Why do you want it to ride like a Mojave when you can have a much better ride for the same or less money through the aftermarket?

I've owned two Mojave's, a 2020 and the 2023 we own now. I used the first one both stock and modified with a Teraflex 1 1/2" spacer lift, shock extension brackets, and 37s. The second one came with a Mopar lift and 35s. I added shock extension brackets to the second one to keep the stock shocks from constantly topping out, even on minor speed bumps on pavement.

I also have a few other offroad vehicles, a 2022 Ram TRX with stock suspension and tires, and a 2022 392XR with a 4 1/2" Metalcloak suspension and Accutuned King adjustable 2.5" shocks, with 40s. As far as ride quality both on road and off road, both Mojave's would come in a distant last place compared to the stock TRX and the 392 with aftermarket suspension. It isn't even close in fact. The Mojave will blow right through its suspension travel in nothing flat, with an annoyingly loud pad slap on the front bump stops. And even though it bottoms out too easily, it isn't as plush as the other two vehicles either.

I would also advise avoiding the OEM parts bin.

Shock extenders would probably help since I could only go 1” spacer. The extra 1/2” made them too short. So they are probably topppng out now.

 

[trekkar]

This right here.

I come from a desert racing background, so suspension has been an important part of my offroad vehicles for decades.

I have a couple of questions. Why do you want it to "ride like a Mojave" when you don't know what a Mojave rides like? Why do you want it to ride like a Mojave when you can have a much better ride for the same or less money through the aftermarket?

I've owned two Mojave's, a 2020 and the 2023 we own now. I used the first one both stock and modified with a Teraflex 1 1/2" spacer lift, shock extension brackets, and 37s. The second one came with a Mopar lift and 35s. I added shock extension brackets to the second one to keep the stock shocks from constantly topping out, even on minor speed bumps on pavement.

I also have a few other offroad vehicles, a 2022 Ram TRX with stock suspension and tires, and a 2022 392XR with a 4 1/2" Metalcloak suspension and Accutuned King adjustable 2.5" shocks, with 40s. As far as ride quality both on road and off road, both Mojave's would come in a distant last place compared to the stock TRX and the 392 with aftermarket suspension. It isn't even close in fact. The Mojave will blow right through its suspension travel in nothing flat, with an annoyingly loud pad slap on the front bump stops. And even though it bottoms out too easily, it isn't as plush as the other two vehicles either.

I would also advise avoiding the OEM parts bin.

This is some good info, I'm not sure about the OP and I havn't driven a mojave yet but I'm assuming it would be the best at driving fast or faster over rough terrain then the other trims. I guess it's all relevant though and it still may not be fast enough. Could the mojave or any gladiator compete with the TRX/raptor and if so how much $$$ would it take?

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